Prince Adewole Adebayo, who vied for the presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections, has expressed serious apprehension regarding a perceived shrinking of Nigeria’s democratic arena. He warned that the opposition might face significant challenges ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Adebayo highlighted a combination of factors contributing to this situation in a statement released by his media office on Saturday. These include a noticeable increase in voter apathy, persistent internal conflicts within opposition political parties, and an environment that many observers believe is increasingly favourable to the ruling administration.
He articulated that the current state of weakness and division observed among opposition parties is intrinsically linked to a systemic issue that discourages viable alternatives and limits genuine political contestation.
"The essential partners in any election are not solely politicians," Adebayo remarked, emphasizing that millions of Nigerian citizens have become disillusioned with the political process. He added, "If you intend to forge a coalition, you must engage with the 80 percent who abstained and understand their reasons for staying away."
His comments come at a time when political circles are abuzz with worries that the opposition's struggles to organise effectively are exacerbated by a political climate that inadvertently benefits the incumbent party by weakening its rivals.
Adebayo expressed considerable doubt about the success of ongoing coalition discussions among opposition figures. He cautioned that alliances formed without discipline, credibility, and aligned values could further diminish public trust and entrench the dominance of the current government.
"It is contradictory to champion the fight against corruption and for accountability, only to then associate with individuals whose conduct runs counter to these principles," he stated.
He further revealed that the SDP's attempts to collaborate with other political groups have frequently been hampered by internal disagreements. Multiple factions from the same parties have reportedly entered coalition talks without first resolving their internal disputes, a situation Adebayo identified as indicative of deeper structural problems within the opposition.
"We advised them, 'Do not bring your internal conflicts into coalition negotiations. Focus on organising your party first,'" Adebayo said.
Despite these obstacles, the SDP leader stressed that the most significant threat to Nigeria's democracy is the increasing detachment of its citizens, a large number of whom no longer perceive the political system as responsive or inclusive.
Adebayo asserted that the priority should extend beyond electoral victories to the fundamental task of reforming the system to ensure accountability and foster authentic political engagement.
"Some individuals feel their objective is met once the president is replaced. For us, that is merely the starting point," he noted. "The true challenge lies in establishing a system that embodies good governance and accountability."
Chuks Okocha
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